A Catechism of Familiar Things Part 50

Yes; because the basis of this science consists in an _a.n.a.lytical_ examination of the works of Nature; an investigation of the properties and uses of all substances we are acquainted with; and the study of the effects of _heat_ and _mixture_, in order that we may find out their general and subordinate laws.

_a.n.a.lytical_, relating to a.n.a.lysis.

_Investigation_, act of searching, or tracing out.

_Subordinate_, inferior in nature, dignity or power.

Relate a few more of the advantages obtained by a knowledge of Chemistry.

Many of the wonderful operations of Nature, and the changes which take place in substances around us, are, by its means, revealed to us. In every manufacture, art, or walk of life, the chemist possesses an advantage over his unskilled neighbor. It is necessary to the farmer and gardener, as it explains the growth of plants, the use of manures, and their proper application: and indispensable to the physician, that he may understand the animal economy, and the _effects_ which certain _causes_ chemically produce; and the nature of animal, vegetable, and mineral poisons. The study is, therefore, an invaluable branch in the education of youth: it is useful, not only in the active, but the _moral_ life, by laying the foundation of an ardent and inquiring mind. Even an everyday walk in the fields can be productive of instruction, by a knowledge of it;--and let us always remember, that "Knowledge is Power."

_Indispensable_, necessary, not to be done without.

CHAPTER XIX.

ATTRACTION, TIDES, GRAVITY, ARTESIAN WELLS, AIR, ANEROID BAROMETER, EAR-TRUMPET, STETHOSCOPE, AUDIPHONE, TELEPHONE, PHONOGRAPH, MICROPHONE, MEGAPHONE, TASIMETER, BATHOMETER, ANEMOMETER, CHRONOMETER.

What is Attraction?

By attraction is meant that property or quality in the particles of bodies which makes them tend toward each other.

Are there several kinds of attraction?

Yes. Attraction has received different names, according to the circ.u.mstances under which it acts: The force which keeps the particles of matter together to form bodies or ma.s.ses, is called attraction of _cohesion_; that which makes bodies stick together only on their surfaces, is called _adhesion_; that which inclines different ma.s.ses toward each other, as the earth and the heavenly bodies, is called _gravitation_; that which forces the particles of substances of different kinds to unite, is known under the name of _chemical attraction_; that which causes the needle of the compa.s.s to point constantly toward the poles of the earth, is _magnetic attraction_; that which is excited by friction in certain substances, is known as _electrical attraction_.

How do you know that attraction exists through the whole universe?

This great universal law was first discovered by Sir Isaac Newton. The sun and planets and other heavenly bodies are only guided in their path by gravitation.

Do we experience this attraction upon our earth?

Yes; because our earth is carried around the sun by it; and, further, the tides show it very clearly.

What are the Tides?

The ebbing and flowing of the sea, which regularly takes place twice in twenty-four hours. The cause of the tides is the attraction of the sun, but chiefly of the moon, acting on the waters of the ocean.

What is Gravity?

Gravity is the attraction between the earth and the bodies on the earth, which makes what we call weight of bodies.

What do you understand by specific weight or gravity?

It means the weight of a body as compared with the weight of an equal bulk of some other body taken as a standard--commonly water.

Why do we say that certain metals--as, for example, platina or gold--are heavier than others, say, lead or iron?

Because the former have a greater specific gravity.

But is not a pound of gold as heavy as a pound of lead?

Yes; but a lump of gold will be heavier than a lump of lead of equal bulk.

Can we explain by this what we call floating?

A body will float in water if its gravity is less than that of water; for example, wood floats for this reason in water, and a balloon in the air.

Why does a portion of the floating body sink below the surface of the water?

Because the body in order to float must displace a portion of water equal in weight to the whole floating body.

But why do iron steamers float--iron being heavier than water?

Because the steamer is not a solid piece of iron, but is hollow, and so increased in bulk; for that reason the weight of the vessel and its contents is less than that of an equal bulk of water.

How can you ascertain that air has weight?

We can do it by the barometer and by very many experiences in daily life. If one end of a straw be dipped into a vessel of water and the other end be sucked, the liquid will rise to the mouth. There we see the pressure of the outside air forces the liquid through the straw where the air was removed by sucking.

Can you show the same by another instrument?

Yes; the common water pump demonstrates the same as the straw. A tube is placed into the water, the air is sucked out from the tube by the movement of the pump, and the outside air presses the water through the tube.

What are Artesian wells?

Wells so named because they were made first at Artois, in France. They work on the principle that every liquid seeks its level. Of the rain which falls, a part soaks into the soil of mountains, until, coming to a layer of rocks or clay through which it cannot pa.s.s, it will collect and be stored up. If a hole be bored into this reservoir the water will rise in it.

Do you know some other properties of air?